"The stars are always there but we miss them in the dirt and clouds. We miss them in the storms. Tell them to remember hope. We have hope."

"But in the ruins there is still a canvas. There is still beauty in your brokenness. The faded scars show healing reminding me that even though Iíve been in dark places, Iíve survived and learned and become stronger".

If so, that's the only way to go in my opinion. If not, you'll never get over them. When ever I tried to stay 'just friends' with an ex we either 1. got back together and it ended more horribly than the first time, or 2. they found someone new and got extremely jealous.

For some of my relationships it worked really well.For a while...We always end up talking again.So it's more taking a break.Two relationships I did it and stayed with it.I think it was the best thing to do, I feel a lot better without any contact.So it depends on the person and situation =)

If so, that's the only way to go in my opinion. If not, you'll never get over them. When ever I tried to stay 'just friends' with an ex we either 1. got back together and it ended more horribly than the first time, or 2. they found someone new and got extremely jealous.

Option 1 - getting back together and ending badly - is definitely what happened with me and my recent ex. We're now in the "NC phase" - never knew it had a name - and yeah, I'm much happier this way. I mean, I'm ont happy about it - I'd still rather be with her - but this way I can get on with my life and find someone else. It's just better.

That said, that's just me. I know some people can move from a relationship to being friends with hardly any drama at all. So, it probably just depends on the people and the relationship. The best thing anyone can do is what's best for them.

The atoms that make up you and me were born in the hearts of suns many times greater than ours, and in time our atoms will once again reside amongst the stars. Life is but an idle dalliance of the cosmos, frail, and soon forgotten. We have been set adrift in an ocean whose tides we are only beginning to comprehend and with that maturity has come the realization that we are, at least for now, alone. In that loneliness, it falls to us to shine as brightly as the stars from which we came.

I've tried the no-contact thing with my ex - I think it lasted just over a week. I think for me it just made me feel worse because it was almost like I was actively excluding her from my life, which wasn't making me feel any happier and just gave my conscience a stick to beat me with. We're not exactly in regular contact, but it's the right balance for where we now are.

I think NC can work and is probably the best solution for some people, especially if the relationship ended quite badly. That said, I think it's a case-by-case thing.

My ex moved on with a new one just two weeks after I broke up with him. I regret my decision and now I want him back sooo badly... I begged for another chance and he said no because he said he loves his new girlfriend

Now I am going NC cause this is the only way I will heal... although I am doing this for me I wonder if it can bring him back to me even though he is currently involved in a new relationship lol. I can't believe he just moved on like this after one year and half

i don't want to give you false hope because honestly NC bringing people back together does not happen very often because it causes the relationship to completely die but I have had it happen to me.

I dated a guy on and off for four years and I broke up with over a text message while he was at Army training (horrible I know) for someoone else (who ruined me). Anyway we obviously went NC after that then several months later he started to try to contact me and get back together after he went through a couple of meaningless relationships. I didn't take him back but it can happen I just think it's unlikely.

It would probably be best for you if you just move on, less pain would occur in the long run

It wasn't COMPLETELY "no contact" with my ex-boyfriend... but close enough. We spoke once or twice, around Halloween (which was two months after I broke up with him). After that, we spoke to each other one more time, maybe 8 months later? I wanted a proper apology from him. =P That allowed me to finally gain closure and move on, so I haven't spoken to him in over two and a half years. Definitely the way to go, if you're coming out of an abusive relationship.

My last girlfriend...she needed to work out some kinks. We've...had flings a couple times and they've always resulted in "no contact". I like the rule because it makes the recovery process (when there actually was a recovery process :P) a lot easier. The last fling we had, she was being manipulative so I just kicked the bitch to the curb and told her to never talk to me again. So, I like the NC rule.

I have never done this and don't think I ever would do this.
No offence to the rest of you but I'd feel seriously childish doing it. That's not to say it IS childish or that I consider you to be childish if you follow this rule but I feel like I'd be being childish.
I much prefer the "we're no longer in love or friends, but I can be civil, I want to be civil" approach. Eventually you DO get over that person, you both move on and you can work towards becoming friends.

I broke up with my ex two and a half years ago. I lost my virginity to him. We barely spoke for about a year, bumping into each other randomly and saying hi or having the occasional chat online. Eventually we added each other on facebook and would occasionally comment each others statuses or pictures or talk on facebook chat. Now we talk every week or so and plan to see each other over the holidays. He's in a relationship and I'm totally over him romantically. I was the one that dumped him in the first place because I realised I wasn't in love with him and I hated the idea of being with someone I didn't love. Anyway my point is I'm glad we went through the tough awkward phase to get where we are now. It's taken two and a half years but he's finally my best friend again.